It was May 2006, the beginnings of winter in Australia, when I attended the biennial conference of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) in Sydney. To my astounded eyes, coming from a judicial system steeped in hierarchy, I saw this small-built lady in a group of judges from the United Kingdom. Little did I realise that the diminutive exterior hid an interior of steel – that I was meeting the formidable, indomitable Baroness Hale of Richmond at her egalitarian best. Her spirit of equanimity, the regard with which she treated judges at all levels has left an indelible impression on my mind and heart. It is from Lady Hale that I learnt self-worth and felt empowered to undertake the path I have followed in my judicial life: that a judge is a judge no matter her position in the hierarchy is my tutelage from Lady Hale. I shall remain ever grateful to Lady Hale (or Brenda as she asked us to address her) for clearing these cobwebs and setting an example for generations from across the globe to follow, even in our brief interactions at these unique international gatherings.